Advances in Hybrid Imaging: SPECT/CT
摘要
This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in SPECT/CT hybrid imaging, with a particular emphasis on multidetector SPECT/CT systems that have recently entered the market. After a brief introduction to traditional SPECT/CT systems, the chapter explores the key innovations that define these new systems, focusing on system design, performance improvements, image quality, and their overall potential in patient examinations. Traditional SPECT/CT systems combine the functional imaging capabilities of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with the high-resolution anatomical details of computed tomography (CT). This integration allows for the fusion of metabolic and physiological data from SPECT with precise structural information from CT, enabling comprehensive 3D visualization that improves diagnosis, treatment planning, and disease monitoring. The introduction of multidetector configurations in nuclear medicine imaging, initially applied in the cardiovascular domain, has recently expanded to whole-body SPECT/CT systems. These configurations enable faster imaging protocols, reduced radiation exposure, and improved performance compared to conventional dual-head SPECT/CT cameras. The chapter will delve into the technical aspects of these new systems, including acquisition and collimation geometries, reconstruction algorithms, image quality metrics, and detector designs. SPECT quantification and system performance will be compared with traditional systems, and finally clinical and research applications will be discussed. The transformative role of multidetector SPECT/CT systems in advancing diagnostic imaging and personalized medicine will be highlighted.